[NSRCA-discussion] [Fwd: Proposal]

[Ken Thompson]

John,

I've studied your proposals and I honestly don't see any real downsides, not that I expected to:-)
The only major problem I have is, with the national database, other pilots would be able to see my many downfalls, before the contest.

Nicely done,

Ken
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: John Gayer 
  To: NSRCA Mailing List 
  Sent: Wednesday, August 22, 2007 7:12 PM
  Subject: [NSRCA-discussion] [Fwd: Proposal]



  I'd like to present three proposals that might appeal to a few if not the many....
  Modified from the original proposal . Apparently not many saw it. The first one has been added 
  Comments?
  John
  NSRCA 632

  Revive the practice of assigning mentors to Sportsman and Intermediate flyers

  At contests, assign an experienced competitor to mentor, call and advise the Sportsman/ Intermediate flyers. This is nothing new, but should be a part of every contest. We should try to provide a connection that will last past the contest.
  As I see it, there are four issues that drasticaly affect the ability of these flyers to compete effectively: aircraft trimming, execessive throws, wings level and centering(also known as flying the airplane, not letting the airplane fly you).
  These flyers have shown the initiative to come out and compete. We owe them (and ourselves) all the help we can throw at them. 


  Create a National Database for Pattern

  The database must contain the raw scores of all flights for all competitors by class. The only thing normalized scores are good for is finding the right  finish order for each class at a contest. Raw scores are much better for comparing results even at a contest. For example I finish round one with a 930 and round two with a 985, both to competitor A. Now did I fly a lot better in round two(I thought I did)  or did competitor A flop a stall turn in the figure M in round 2.
  Anyway once you have the raw scores by competitor and class, you can do the following:

    1.. Create a National Ranking for each class based on average points per maneuver. Once this is in place and on line, we will have a reason for pattern competitors to join NSRCA. you can't tell me that there wouldn't be a lot of interest in seeing who is hot around the country and how you stack up against the competition. I know, the judging isn't always equal but that's always been true and we have to live with it. 

    2.. The data available on each competitor would include contests entered, placing, advance points earned. The districts could extract whatever data is required to ascertain the district champions. We could archive previous years as well. 
    3.. Other ways to specify advancement in class become available, percentage of average FAI score, even eventually moving the 10 top-rated pilots up a class. Possibilities are endless when you have the data.

  Since the database would only be open to NSRCA members, if you want to track your National standing, joining NSRCA would be a must. If you want to see what the guy nobody heard of that just rolled in from out of district has accomplished, look him up. We've been looking for reasons  to join NSRCA, I feel this is one that could be big and would be worth some investment in time and money. I would be willing to help with such a project although I don't feel like I could take it on by myself.

  Redirect the focus to our international team competition through modification of the advancement system


    1.. Modify the advancement process to be consistent through all classes from Sportsman through to F3A. See section two for possible advancement criteria 
    2.. Advancement can be forced by the advancement criteria(see section 2) or voluntary.

    3.. The first year in a new and higher class is an option year. At the end of the option year you can downselect one class for any reason. 
  This has the advantage of being able to try out the higher class for a year without committing your entire pattern career. If you discover that the next class is beyond your means( time, money or talent) then you option down the following year. If you absolutely refuse to fly your new class, then perhaps you could use the time and money to reintroduce your self to your wife, girlfriend, etc. If you need a goal for the year, focus on making your rudder commands instinctive, learn to fly a helicopter, learn to fly rolling circles. You would probably come back a better pattern flyer than when you left.






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